The hope of the righteous brings joy. – Proverbs 10:28
The people of Judah had been taken captive to Babylon under the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. The prophet Jeremiah sent them a message of hope from the Lord: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:10-11).
At another time, Isaiah warned the nation of Judah of the judgment to come, but added, “Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds” (Isaiah 3:10). As a child of God, your righteousness is a result of your belief in Christ as your Savior, and your trust in and your obedience to God with whom you have a personal relationship. Your hope has a divine foundation, “built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness… On Christ, the solid Rock [you] stand. All other ground is sinking sand” (Edward Mote). That fact should arouse hope in you that brings you joy.
Though difficulties periodically arise in your life, you can have confidence that God hears your prayers and will carry you through. Cheerfully accept what He has given you with thanksgiving; He is your keeper and provider (Proverbs 10:3, 6). Joys unspeakable await you in heaven (1 Peter 1:8, KJV).
The contrast between the expectations of the righteous and the wicked is stark (Proverbs 10:28). As you hope in the Lord your Rock, you can expect His joy, both in this life and the one to come. Pray for the people of this nation, especially those in government positions, asking the Lord to draw them to know Christ as Savior, and have the hope and joy of the righteous.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 10:28
The hope of the righteous brings joy,
but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Proverbs 10:1-3, 16, 27-30
A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
2 Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death.
3 The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
16 The wage of the righteous leads to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin.
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
but the years of the wicked will be short.
28 The hope of the righteous brings joy,
but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless,
but destruction to evildoers.
30 The righteous will never be removed,
but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
